August 16, 2001

COLUMBIAN TRADE UNIONISTS
NEED U.S. HELP
"...We arrived in Colombia after a six-hour flight and were met by Colombian Labor Confederation (CUT) human rights director, Jesus Gonzalez, and two heavily armed bodyguards," said Glynda Williams, a coordinator of the International union’s Rapid Response program. The eight-member Steelworker delegation put their luggage into Jeeps and boarded them.
"Why all the guards?" Williams asked, uneasy with her surroundings. The driver explained that union leaders in Colombia face the threat of murder and kidnapping every day...."